as, Skinner,
Crump and several others equally as gallant and good, and there were
some excellent officers who had joined the command just after General
Morgan's return from prison. The staff department was ably filled by the
acting adjutants, Lieutenants George W. Hunt, Arthur Andrews, James
Hines and Daniels. These were all officers of especial merit.

Colonels Ward, Morgan and Tucker, and Majors Webber and Steele had been
exchanged at Charleston, and their valuable services were secured at a
time when greatly needed. The gallant Mississippi company, of my old
regiment, was there, all, at least, that was left of it, and Cooper's
company, under Welsh, as staunch and resolute as ever, although greatly
reduced in numbers. All the old regiments were represented.

Daily drills and inspections soon brought the brigade into a high state
of efficiency and the men longed to return to the debatable ground and
try conclusions, fairly, with the enemy which had boasted of recent
triumphs at their expense. An opportunity soon occurred. In the latter
part of September, General Vaughan moved with all of these commands
stationed about Jonesboro', in the direction of Greenville. One object
of the movement was to attempt, if co-operation with General John S.
Williams, who was known to be approaching from toward Knoxville, could
be secured, the capture of the Federal forces at Bull's gap. General
Williams had been cut off, in Middle Tennessee, from General Wheeler who
had raided into that country. His command consisted of three brigades.
One under command of Colonel William Breckinridge was the brigade of
Kentucky cavalry which had won so much reputation in the retreat from
Dalton and the operations around Atlanta. In this brigade were Colonel
Breckinridge's own regiment, the Ninth Kentucky and Dortch's battalion.
Another of these brigades was a very fine one of Tennessee troops,
under General Debrell, an excellent officer. The third commanded by
General Robertson, a young and very dashing officer, was composed of
"Confederate" battalions--troops enlisted under no particular State
organization. General Vaughan learning of General Williams' approach
dispatched him a courier offering to co-operate with him and advising
that General Williams should attack the rear, while he, Vaughan would
attack it in front.

[Illustration: MAP SHOWING THOSE PORTIONS OF E. TENNESSEE AND W. VIRGINIA,
_Operated in by Gen. Morgan's Brigade_, UNDER COMMAND OF